Product Description
Helleborus 'Whirlwind Romance' - WEDDING PARTY® Series (20)ct Flat
Common Name: Lenten Rose
Helleborus 'Whirlwind Romance', a captivating member of the WEDDING PARTY® series, is a Lenten Rose that truly lives up to its romantic name. Bred by the renowned hybridizer Hans Hansen of Walters Gardens, this variety stands out with its exceptional vigor, abundant blooms, and striking color palette. It is a must-have for any gardener seeking to add a touch of early spring magic to their landscape.
What Makes 'Whirlwind Romance' So Special? 'Whirlwind Romance' distinguishes itself through its unique double blooms. The pristine white petals are intricately veined with a deep, dark burgundy, creating a mesmerizing contrast. The underside of the petals further enhances this dramatic effect, being richly saturated with the same dark burgundy hue. Compared to its cousin, 'Blushing Bridesmaid', 'Whirlwind Romance' boasts a deeper, more intense burgundy coloration, particularly at the petal tips. This color saturation, combined with the double form, results in a truly show-stopping floral display.
Detailed Description:
- Flowers: Double, cup-shaped blooms with white petals intricately veined and backed with dark burgundy. The contrast is striking and adds a touch of drama.
- Foliage: Evergreen, deep green leaves provide a beautiful backdrop to the vibrant flowers, remaining attractive year-round.
- Growth Habit: Clump-forming, spreading slowly over time to create a lush groundcover.
- Size: Reaches a height and spread of 18-24 inches.
Native Habitat and Naturalization: While not native to any specific region, Hellebores, in general, are woodland plants that thrive in dappled shade and moist, well-drained soil. 'Whirlwind Romance' inherits this preference and is ideally suited for naturalizing in woodland gardens or shady areas of the landscape. Its extensive root system allows it to spread gradually, creating a beautiful colony over time.
Landscaping Design Tips:
- Woodland Gardens: 'Whirlwind Romance' is a natural choice for woodland settings, where its elegant blooms complement the surrounding trees and understory plants.
- Shade Gardens: Brighten up shady areas with the vibrant colors of this Lenten Rose. Combine it with other shade-loving plants like hostas, ferns, and astilbes for a diverse and textured landscape.
- Border Plant: Use 'Whirlwind Romance' as a border plant along pathways or at the edge of beds to add a touch of early spring color.
- Container Gardening: This variety also performs well in containers, allowing you to enjoy its beauty on patios, balconies, or near entrances. Choose a pot with good drainage and use a high-quality potting mix.
- Mass Planting: For a truly breathtaking display, plant 'Whirlwind Romance' in groups or drifts. The mass of blooms will create a stunning visual impact.
- Cut Flowers: The long-lasting blooms make excellent cut flowers, bringing a touch of spring indoors.
Planting and Care:
- Planting Time: The best time to plant Hellebores is in the spring or fall.
- Location: Choose a location with part shade to full shade and well-drained soil.
- Soil: Hellebores prefer rich, fertile soil that is neutral to alkaline in pH. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. However, avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Once established, Hellebores are relatively drought tolerant.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before the new growth begins.
- Mulching: Mulch around the plants with shredded bark or compost to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the shallow roots.
- Pruning: Remove any dead or damaged leaves in late winter or early spring. Old flower stems can also be removed to encourage new growth.
- Pest and Disease Resistance: Hellebores are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, watch out for slugs and snails, which can sometimes damage the foliage. They are deer and rabbit resistant.
Other Insights for Gardeners:
- Bloom Time: 'Whirlwind Romance' blooms in early to mid-spring, often during the Lenten season, hence the common name "Lenten Rose." The blooms typically last for six weeks or more.
- Evergreen Foliage: The evergreen leaves provide year-round interest in the garden.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers are attractive to bees, making them a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens.
- Slow Growth Rate: Hellebores are slow-growing plants, so be patient. They will gradually spread and form a larger clump over time.
- Hardiness Zones: 'Whirlwind Romance' is hardy in USDA zones 4-9, making it a versatile plant for a wide range of climates.
Helleborus 'Whirlwind Romance' is a truly exceptional Lenten Rose that will bring beauty and charm to your garden. With its unique double blooms, striking color contrast, and easy care requirements, it is a valuable addition to any landscape.
Walters Gardens hybridizer Hans Hansen focuses on creating vigorous hellebores with abundant, colorful blooms. The WEDDING PARTY® series features his double-flowered selections in various stunning shades.
'Whirlwind Romance' has dark burgundy veins on white petals, with darker burgundy on the petal backs. It is more saturated in color compared to 'Blushing Bridesmaid'.
Hellebores, or Lenten Roses, bloom for six weeks starting in late winter. Ideal for woodland areas, they spread extensively with their robust root systems.
- Height: 0-24.0 Inches
- Spread: 0-24.0 Inches
- Hardiness Zones: 4,5,6,7,8,9
- Flower Color: Red shades
- Foliage Color: Green shades
- Sunlight: Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
- Water Requirements: Low Water Needs, Average Water Needs
- Soil Quality: Average Soil Quality, Fertile Soil Quality
- Soil Chemistry: Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)Alkaline Soil (pH > 7.0)
- Bloomtime: Early Spring, Mid Spring
- Attracts Wings: Bee Friendly
- Critter Resistant: Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
- Seasonal Interest: Evergreen
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Garden Style: Patio Container, Eclectic, Woodland Shade
Border Plant, Container, Cut Flower, Drought Tolerant, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Salt Tolerant
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
